1 Thessalonians 5:15

“See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.”

The temptation to “get even” with people is one that most Christians struggle with, and it was certainly true in the early days of the Church. Striking back at one’s “enemies” is the basis of many televisions shows, movies, and video games and more often than not, society treats it like a virtue. They push you…you push back. They hit you…you hit back. They insult you…insult them back.

In our sin we think repaying evil with evil somehow evens things out or rights a wrong, but it doesn’t. In our anger we say, “I’ve got to get even,” but in His righteousness Jesus says, “Turn the other cheek.” The pursuit of peace (Romans 12:18) comes with a cost: life can’t be all about you. You have to get your focus off of what you want and put it on what God wants, which is always better.

So, the next time somebody mistreats you…just walk away. Overlook it. Let it go. Also, make sure you always try to “do good” to others, which in turn, will make it easier for them to “do good” to you. If we start to live that way at home, imagine how much nicer our days will be!

APPLICATION: Talk about the ways you try to “get even” with each other and why you feel tempted to do it. Then, come up with some better ways to respond when you feel like you have been mistreated. Pray and ask God to help all of you resist the temptation to repay evil with evil.